What are common synchronization primitives in programming?

What are common synchronization primitives in programming?

Common synchronization primitives include mutexes, semaphores, condition variables, and barriers. They help manage access to shared resources.

Can you explain how a mutex works?

A mutex, or mutual exclusion, is a lock that allows only one thread to access a resource at a time, preventing race conditions.

What is the difference between a semaphore and a mutex?

A semaphore allows multiple threads to access a resource up to a limit, while a mutex only allows one thread at a time.

When should I use a condition variable?

Use a condition variable when you need threads to wait for certain conditions to be met before proceeding, allowing for efficient resource use.